Our Work

Legal Services

Immigration Equality is the leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization in the country. Each year, we provide advice and legal services to thousands of LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants seeking refuge, fair treatment, and freedom in the United States. We work every day to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

In nearly 80 countries around the world it is a crime to be LGBTQ. For this reason, we fight to obtain asylum in the United States for LGBTQ and HIV-positive refugees. Every year, our caseload grows. Nevertheless, we maintain a remarkable 99% win rate.

Policy Priorities

Immigration Equality has a robust policy program to make lasting changes in our immigration system. Because we serve more LGBTQ immigrants than any other organization, we spot patterns and trends that no one else sees. Our experience with the system fuels our advocacy initiatives. Together, our law and policy teams fight every day to ensure the safety and well­being of our community.

LGBTQ immigrants still need the following policy changes:

Stop deporting LGBTQ immigrants

Repeal the arbitrary filing deadline for asylum

Include us in administrative relief and immigration reform

Improve conditions in immigration detention

Increase the use of alternatives to detention

Decrease asylum backlogs by hiring the appropriate number of asylum officers and immigration judges

Recognize our families to include those without access to marriage equality

Pathways to immigration status

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Current Landscape

Conditions deteriorating worldwide

Our award-winning LGBTQ Asylum Program currently represents people fleeing the more than 80 countries where it is a crime or fundamentally unsafe to be LGBTQ. The Asylum Program pairs LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants with top law firms, pro bono partners, and our own legal team, which handles the most difficult cases. We also provide free legal support and advice to empower people to represent themselves.

Our Work

Asylum Winners

Our Focus

Immigration Equality is the nation's leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization. We represent and advocate for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse, and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.